ML30976581

Age and sex

Juvenile, Unknown sex - X

Media notes

This photo illustrates a number of the elements that show this individual to be in plumage that can be classified as juvenile/first-winter. Starting with the front end: There is an entirely dark bill; smudgy blackish marks on the crown and rear of the head; a black cervical collar; a gray back and mantle; broad, dark-brown stripe across the inner wing that, combined with blackish primaries and edge of outer wing, create the striking "M" configuration across the wing as seen in flight (see photos ML30976591 and ML30981491); and solidly black primaries. What is missing here, but is shown in various of the other photos, is the black tip to the tail.

Observation details

The Black-legged Kittiwake was observed and photographed by our party from approximately 1:10 PM to 2:30 PM as it sat on jetty rocks or flew short distances away. The rocks most favored by it while we were there were those along the jetty immediately south of the bait stand. Most of that time it sat upon those large red (apparently granite) rocks that line the channel associated with the jetty. Occasionally it flew about, but soon came back to sit upon one of the large rocks. This behavior proved optimal for getting photographs of it from various directions and at different elevations relative to our angle of regard. Eight of those photos are provided herewith. We immediately recognized this species due to having had extensive prior experience with it. During our decades of living in the New York City/Long Island area we had many low-count encounters with it at various coastal sites (as well as at other northeastern USA ones) and saw thousands on Green Island (breeding colony) in Newfoundland, Canada, and substantial numbers at several other Newfoundland sites. As for the three most important identity-competitor species, while living in New York State we saw many hundreds of Bonaparte’s Gulls, 14 Little Gulls in various plumage stages, and, additionally, were fortunate to have seen Ross's Gull (1) in Delaware (multiple witnesses). Those three are the chief ID-competitors relative to Black-legged Kittiwake. All three can be ruled out on account of their having colored, not black, legs. Bonapart's Gull also can be ruled out because it does not show the full dark "M" pattern on the upper wing; Little Gull, also on grounds of not having the black cervical collar; and Ross's Gull, also because of its pointed tail tip.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 10D

ISO

400

Focal length

300 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/11.0

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

1239 pixels x 929 pixels

Original file size

277.5 KB